Hey lovely lot! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another slice of ballet history from www.pink-tutu.com. Grab a cuppa, slip on your most fabulous tutu, and let's go on an adventure!
This month, I'm waltzing back in time to the 10th of October, 1702, a day that’s swirling with ballet magic. It's a time when the art of dance was captivating Europe, its beauty blossoming in royal courts and grand theatres. I'm feeling super excited because my magical steed, Meg - the most fabulous pink sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail – has been champing at the bit for a good old-fashioned historical jaunt. (And frankly, after a recent performance of Swan Lake in my bright pink, diamond-encrusted tutu, a little trip back in time is just the ticket!)
Before I even reach 1702, I feel my pink-tutu senses tingling - it's just like the feeling you get when you see that perfect pair of pointe shoes or when the curtain goes up on a mesmerising performance. I'm ready to soak up all the historical ballet goodness and maybe even add a few new trinkets to my ever-expanding leather rucksack - which I always keep stuffed with my ballet discoveries. It's so important to capture the magic of these incredible times.
Meg’s hooves beat a rhythmical tempo as we gallop through the cobbled streets of London, a beautiful blur of gaslight and red brick buildings. Today, our destination is Drury Lane Theatre - a hub of theatrical magic!
Let's delve into the exciting world of ballet back in 1702. It wasn’t a singular art form, like we know it today. The French court was obsessed with ballets - it was the talk of the town, you could say! Their extravagant productions were full of music, lavish costumes, and storytelling. Ballet was more like a courtly performance, a show of power and prestige for the aristocracy.
I can already picture it - a glorious dance by the King's own company, the most elegant ballerinos, graceful and elegant in their beautifully embroidered costumes. These ballerinas wouldn't wear the structured, feminine tutu we know and love today - it wouldn't exist for another few decades - but they had their own type of style! We can imagine billowing skirts, silken sleeves, and intricate embellishments, probably dripping in velvet and diamonds.
Now, what would be on offer at Drury Lane Theatre in October of 1702? My research tells me a whole lot of excitement! It’s highly likely that there were plays and opera performances going on - think Shakespeare with music and dazzling costuming, a captivating blend of theatre and artistry. In fact, even operas that are considered pure Italian classics might be staged with an extra layer of ballet – just like in La Serva Padrona by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, which premiered that very year!
My little time travel adventure always brings home the incredible legacy of dance, its captivating journey over centuries. It shows just how far ballet has evolved, from a form of aristocratic spectacle to the universal language of movement that we see today, on every stage across the world!
And for you lovely ladies and gents out there - keep the pink tutus coming!
Love and twirls,
Emma xx
P.S. I'm hosting a "Tutu for a Day" event next Saturday! It’s time for everyone to show off their tutu love - and don't worry, if you don't own one, we have plenty of lovely pink tutus on hand. It's going to be an epic dance party with tea, cakes, and enough sparkly tulle to make a fairy blush! Don't miss it - find more info on www.pink-tutu.com.
